Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) (25 page)

“Then stop teasing me,” she cried.

“Tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you.”

She wasn’t sure what to ask for—his touch or his cock. She wanted each with burning intensity. “Touch my clit with your tongue and don’t stop licking until I come.”

He chuckled, clearly amused by the detail of her directive. “Like this?” Holding her folds back with his fingers, he flicked his tongue over her clit.

Sensation shot through her, making her hips buck. “Yes. More!”

Shifting her free leg over his shoulder, he went to work on her clit. With gentle strokes and persistent flicks, he soon had her thrashing wildly. She tossed her head and closed her eyes as sensations gathered in her abdomen. The tension drew tighter and tighter until her core clenched and her toes curled. If he’d just—

His lips closed around her clit and one firm suck sent pleasure blasting through her entire body. She cried out sharply, arching off the bed as her orgasm spiraled inward and a staggering sense of well-being flowed outward.

He lunged up along her body, his cock filling her in one forceful drive. The sudden, complete fullness sent a fresh wave of pleasure cascading over her. She looked deep into his eyes and pushed her emotions across their link. She needed him to understand how deeply he affected her, how intensely she needed him and how amazing she found him.

Warmth and tenderness filled her mind, an obvious response to her sharing. Rather than clutter the moment with words, she framed his face with her hands and guided his mouth back to hers. Their kiss remained slow and tender but the rhythm of his hips soon sped, becoming almost frantic.

The contrast of sweet and savage combined with combustible results. She arched into each of his hard thrusts as emotions flowed freely between their minds. It was intoxicating and liberating, yet she had never felt more connected to anyone.

His body surged deep inside her as their tongues tangled. She clutched his shoulders and surrendered everything. Nothing mattered but Jake. Nothing existed but this moment.

Urgency barreled into her mind half a second before he turned his head and cried out. He shuddered against her, his hips grinding as his seed burst free. His release triggered hers. She came in sharp spasms, her inner muscles caressing his shaft. They clung to each other, shivering as waves of sensation carried them along.

Long moments later, he separated their mouths and rolled them to their sides, somehow managing to stay inside her. “That wasn’t exactly what I had planned.”

She smiled, feeling warm and dreamy. “What did you have planned?”

“I was going to take my time and make this last for hours.”

“It can still last for hours. We’ll just have to do it more than once.”

* * * * *

The following morning dawned bright and clear, a stark contrast to Nate’s mood. All of his efforts to find Heather had failed. Worse, Risdon hadn’t been able to find Lexxie. And if Lexxie disappeared, someone was helping her. The ditzy blonde wasn’t smart enough to vanish on her own.

Speaking of irritating blondes. He’d spent the past two days trying to forget Milliner’s messenger. No matter what he did, he couldn’t rid his mind of her image. Bouncy blonde curls and light-brown eyes, a face both innocent and sensual. Large, round breasts, perfect for squeezing, and a tight little ass striped with welts. He’d controlled countless females, both Therian and human. So why did he find this one so captivating? He didn’t even know her name but he knew her taste and the sounds she made while he moved inside her. Just the thought of her supple body writhing beneath him hardened his cock and made his balls ache. He had no way to contact her, wasn’t sure what he’d say if he could. And still her image haunted him night and day.

If he interacted with anyone right now, he’d start a fight. And the last thing he needed was another enemy. So he headed to the Clubhouse. It was a little after eleven. No one else would be there until late afternoon. The familiar setting always soothed him and a few hours of silence might help clear his mind.

He let himself in through the back and headed straight for the office. An unexpected yet familiar scent brought him up short halfway through the main room of the bar.

“I didn’t think you’d ever get here, but I wasn’t sure where you live.”

It was
her
,
Milliner’s messenger. His heart did a ridiculous flip and his nostrils flared, desperate for more of her tantalizing scent. He searched the shadows but couldn’t locate her among the tables crowned with upturned chairs.

“How’d you get in here?”

She laughed though the sound seemed to come from the opposite side of the room. “Is that what you really want to know?”

He paused, alert, suspicious. Her scent had changed subtly. She still smelled human but now he detected something else, something more. “What did you do to me? I can’t get your image out of my mind.”

“I’m flattered, but that’s not why I came.” She emerged from the shadows with preternatural grace, almost as if she’d just appeared out of thin air.

He narrowed his gaze and inhaled deeply, trying to identify the new element in her scent. “Then why did you come?”

“I found you more amusing the other night than I’d expected, so I decided to give you a warning.”

It took a moment for her words to sink in. She found him “amusing”? She’d spent half the night bent over his desk, submitting to his every desire, and the other half on her knees with his cock in her mouth. Was this a ploy to provoke him again? Maybe she wanted a more severe form of punishment.

“So warn me,” he muttered as possibilities teased his imagination.

She sauntered toward him, hips swaying, lips twisted into a smug little smile. “I’m not the helpless fool I allowed you to believe.”

“It would have been stupid for Milliner to send someone that helpless.” So why had Nate accepted her persona without batting an eye?

“I don’t work for Milliner anymore. He no longer amuses me.”

There was that word again. “That’s not much of a warning. If Milliner didn’t send you then why are you here?” Part of him wanted to cross the room and yank her into his arms but the more sensible part held back. He needed to know what he was dealing with before he touched her again.

“Milliner is playing you for a fool. The cats rescued Dhane several days ago, so there’s no way the general could have made the trade. He was going to wait until you delivered Heather and then kill you.”

Rage spread through Nate, compressing his chest and stealing his breath. He had no reason to trust her and yet he believed every word. That slimy human bastard had double-crossed him! “I’ll kill him for this. No one—”

“Milliner’s day will come, but for now I need you to play dumb.”

“I don’t play dumb.
Ever.
No one gets away with—”

“He’ll not get away with anything, but you will leave Milliner to me. You’ll convince him you’re doing everything you can to find Heather, make him believe all you need is more time.”

He had no intention of following orders, hers or anyone’s. But instinct warned him not to push. This was not some helpless human. She obviously knew more than she was saying and undoubtedly had powers she’d yet to reveal.

“Do you know where my daughter is?”

She had the audacity to laugh. “Heather’s safe and out of danger, but that’s not why you asked.”

“Where is she?” He was halfway across the room before he realized he was moving. “Do the backers have her or…” He stopped and ran both hands through his hair, exasperated. “It’s those fucking cats, isn’t it? Which clan dared to interfere with my pack?”

“You already know the answer so don’t waste my time. The question is, what should you do now? Are you wise enough to turn this to your advantage or are you going to rush off and get yourself killed?”

With his fists clenched at his sides he glared at her. “What difference does it make to you?”

She shrugged. “You amuse me. It’s been a long time since I found someone who did. It would be a shame for it to end after only one night.”

Before he could calm himself enough to speak, she melted back into the shadows.

Jake rested on his back with Heather snuggled against his side. The covers tangled about their hips and twilight crept across the room, creating a surreal haven. She was either asleep or lost in thought and he didn’t want to disturb her. They’d spent last night and most of today in bed, exploring each other. Their link made it easy to determine which pleasures they each enjoyed, but as soon as their passion cooled she retreated behind her shields, unwilling to share her thoughts and feelings.

He couldn’t blame her for being cautious. The only person in her life who hadn’t betrayed her was Lexxie. Landon hadn’t actually betrayed her. He’d abandoned her to their father’s ruthlessness, which was almost as bad.

“We can’t spend all day in bed,” she whispered, her breath warm against his neck.

They’d ventured into the kitchen a couple of hours before and scrounged together something to eat. The rebels never knew when the safe house would be needed, so Erin kept it stocked with food and other essentials. Other than the quick repast—and inevitable bathroom breaks—they hadn’t left the bed, much less the bedroom.

“Why can’t we spend all day in bed?” He pulled her on top of him, groaning as her warm body covered his. “We’re not expected at Devon’s until seven, so we have plenty of time to—”

Her laughter cut him off. “I can barely walk now.” She straddled his hips and sat up, arising from the covers like a pagan goddess. “Are you trying to kill me?”

Sliding his hands up her legs, he gripped her hips and rocked against her. “You’re death is the furthest thing from my mind.”

“Glad to hear it.” She braced her hands against his chest and leaned down, obviously meaning to kiss him.

His phone vibrated on the nightstand, halting her descent. He muttered an impatient curse and sat up. He’d turned the infernal thing back on after lunch, figuring twenty-four hours was long enough to be incommunicado while so many conflicts remained unresolved. Though all Therians were telepathic to some extent, their ranges varied greatly, which left them dependent upon more conventional means of communication.

Unwilling to release her entirely, he tossed a pillow against the headboard and scooted back, taking her with him. He grabbed the phone off the nightstand and swiped his thumb across the screen, unlocking the display. The caller was identified by initials and trepidation lodged in his gut as he realized it was Grace, the healer who was treating Natasha.

“This is Jake. How is she?”

Grace wasted no time with small talk. “I did everything I could, sir. Natasha was beyond saving.”

He closed his eyes as grief washed over him. He’d received way too many of these calls. He should be used to them by now. “Thank you for letting me know. Did she regain consciousness at all?”

Warm fingers lightly stroked his face and he opened his eyes. Heather stared back at him, compassion warming her gaze.

“She didn’t, but I was able to scan an image from her mind. I’m pretty sure it was the person who possessed her.”

“I’ll retrieve the image the next time I see you, but could you describe what you saw for me now?”

“Female, late twenties or early thirties, very pretty, with long silver hair and pale-blue eyes. I couldn’t sense what she was exactly, but she was certainly not human.”

He caught Heather’s wrist and guided her hand away from his face, too agitated to accept comfort. The person who matched that description was dead. Ian had made sure of it himself. “Thank you.” He had to force the words past the massive lump in his throat.

“I’m very sorry for your loss. Natasha will be missed.”

Something in Grace’s tone made Jake tense. “Does Enya know about this?”

Grace sighed. “Yes, sir. She caught up with us last night and has been with Natasha ever since. She’s taking it very hard.”

Jake leaned his head against the headboard and stared at the ceiling, tormented by his own thoughts. He’d been really vague about the attack when he switched cars with Enya. He should have realized she wouldn’t leave it alone. “May I speak with her?”

“Of course. Hold on.”

After a short pause, Enya said, “There is nothing you can say to make this better. You made your choice when you carried Heather Fitzroy into my bar.”

“I know you’re furious, but—”

“You don’t know anything! She was my best friend, the only person I could trust. I hope your wolf was worth it.”

“Enya, that’s not fair. I—”

“Stay away from me. I won’t be responsible for my actions if you intrude on my grief.”

The bitter anguish in his sister’s tone cut into Jake like ruthless talons. She didn’t give him the chance to respond. She ended the call, leaving Jake feeling hollow and torn.

If Zophiel was involved, chances were good this had nothing to do with Heather. But that didn’t bring Natasha back. Enya had every right to be angry.

Jake set the phone aside, stunned and silent. Danger was an inherent part of personal security, especially for highly placed Therians. Natasha knew there were significant risks when she took the job. Still, this felt wrong, unnatural.